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Post by pete11 on May 24, 2022 12:09:18 GMT
 lovely pic! At least it's nice and warm for them!  |
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Post by matt on May 24, 2022 10:33:30 GMT
It's getting quite cosy in there!  |
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Post by matt on May 24, 2022 8:37:42 GMT
All looking really good Matt, I am so enjoying the live cam, and I so hope you do manage to capture photos of them in the three holes of your fantastic box  . Sue That's the shot I really want Sue, although I think it might entail lying on top of my neighbours garden office roof to achieve it - I'm sure he won't mind! |
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Post by pete11 on May 24, 2022 8:18:37 GMT
A very healthy looking brood - those mealworms clearly playing a crucial part. Good luck for the next week!
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Post by pete11 on May 24, 2022 8:15:06 GMT
BTs nested in the outer corner of next door’s roof about 5 yrs ago, just up from the gutter/downpipe. Probably not too unusual I guess.
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Post by suep on May 24, 2022 8:09:39 GMT
Brilliant video Sammi. So difficult when our private lives interfere with our bird watching duties  . Hopefully your babies will wait until you are available to watch - maybe the smaller ones at least. Keep updating. Sue |
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Post by suep on May 24, 2022 8:02:54 GMT
All looking really good Matt, I am so enjoying the live cam, and I so hope you do manage to capture photos of them in the three holes of your fantastic box  . Sue |
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Post by matt on May 24, 2022 7:44:10 GMT
Thanks Karen, yes they are looking great! I guess they will be off within the week, both parents are still happily on the meal worms but also bringing in the odd natural bit of food as well which is good. I must try and get some photos of the chicks looking through the 3 holes in this box - I don't think it will be too long before they are bouncing around inside the box now!
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Post by Taz on May 24, 2022 7:36:01 GMT
Lovely video Sammi, I feel your pain with the cats. One of us got up every morning at stupid o clock to make sure the cat didn't come along. That's a lovely brood you have and so exciting that they will be spreading their wings very soon. I look forward to your updates  |
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Post by sammi on May 24, 2022 6:56:59 GMT
It's very rare to get all 9 on the camera but at this moment they all agreed to be filmed. There are some monsters and some tiddlers amongst them. I was in two minds whether or not to attend the last match of the football season and leave them for the weekend but my son said he'd visit and top up the mealworm feeders so reluctantly I went  I was so pleased to see they were all still here when I got back. A couple of days to go until that eerie empty nest. To complicate things it's grandchildren duties on Wednesday and I wanted to be here to make sure the cats in the area don't linger. I see them stop and listen as they pass under the box as the chicks are pretty noisy now.  |
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Post by Taz on May 23, 2022 22:09:06 GMT
Yes, last year I saw a blue tit nest in the top of the pole on a street lamp, amazing. Haven't seen it this year though.
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Post by karenupnorth on May 23, 2022 20:58:29 GMT
All looking good Matt, all will fledge ok I hope. My 8 are doing good too, due to fledge a day after yours I think.
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Post by karenupnorth on May 23, 2022 20:55:59 GMT
Hope the chicks will be ok, it is very vulnerable to attack.  |
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Post by suep on May 23, 2022 18:17:55 GMT
Whilst on a very wet walk in Wales today I became aware of baby birds chirping. I knew it was close but couldn’t think where it was coming from. After standing and observing for a while I was surprised to see a great tit entering what looked like an owl box? - much larger than a robin box. I patiently waited and sure enough it popped up with a fecal sac in its mouth. This huge box seemed a strange place for great tits to nest to me. I have seen blue tits nesting between tree roots and I have also seen them in metal ash tray type boxes with holes, but these both seemed quite safe from predators. This box seems very vulnerable and open enough for squirrels, magpies, jays, woodpeckers etc etc. It made me wonder if anyone else has seen unusual choices of places to raise a birdie family??? J  |
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Post by Taz on May 23, 2022 17:04:47 GMT
Thank you
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Post by suep on May 23, 2022 14:56:19 GMT
What a lovely ending Taz, and brilliant about the two workmen watching too  . Empty nest syndrome it is now then  . Have these to cheer you up  . Sue |
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Post by Taz on May 23, 2022 9:26:11 GMT
Yes, 3 lined up at the door this morning and leapt out at 06:30, then the final 2 both fledged at 0900. Yesterday, a woodpigeon decided to nest in the tree used by the chicks. Today the last one out landed low in the same tree, but the clumsy woodpigeons jumping around knocked it out of the tree onto the grass. The little one kept moving further in the wrong direction, so I put him back in the tree.
Prior to the fledging today, two workman were replacing the fencing nearby, I warned the owners about the last two chicks going today. I noticed just as I watched the last two come out, the workmen were also watching and were so pleased they got to see the fledge too.
This year has not been without dramas, but it has been the largest and most successful broods I have had. I've loved every minute from keeping them warm to waving them off.
Good luck little ones and spread your joy.
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Post by Taz on May 23, 2022 9:16:57 GMT
I usually wait until later in the year, September/October time.
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Post by suep on May 23, 2022 8:36:14 GMT
Anything yet Taz?
Sue
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Post by suep on May 23, 2022 8:34:33 GMT
Wouldn’t fancy being a bird mum 🤮, but thank goodness they are so diligent or the nests would be awful. Judith doing a great job. Great video again Karen. Sue |
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Post by karenupnorth on May 23, 2022 8:29:03 GMT
Lol very big poops! What goes in must come out! All 8 are doing great, both parents are brilliant, Judith is very diligent with keeping the nest clean too.
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Post by suep on May 23, 2022 8:28:20 GMT
I believe the RSPB recommend leaving the box until September in case of a second brood, but this is very unlikely with blue tits. I think most people check their boxes for dead chicks or unhatched eggs (but in your case with a camera you can see this). I have always left mine until later in the year but I am sure a lot of people clear them out earlier. I would wait and see what the majority say. Your box Pete, has to be what you feel right.
Sue
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Post by pete11 on May 23, 2022 8:10:33 GMT
The question now arises:
should I clean out the box straightaway?
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Post by Taz on May 22, 2022 21:38:00 GMT
Looks as though tomorrow could bring an empty nest then Taz. 😢  Fantastic success with them. So pleased for you and hope you get to see them go. So going to miss all these nests. Sue Thanks Sue, I'll be up early tomorrow, quite exciting seeing them go today. I'll have empty nest syndrome for sure tomorrow.
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Post by Taz on May 22, 2022 21:33:58 GMT
Fantastic, congratulations on your fledging and many more to come.  |
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lovely pic! At least it's nice and warm for them! 
.
. Hopefully your babies will wait until you are available to watch - maybe the smaller ones at least. Keep updating.
.
I was so pleased to see they were all still here when I got back. A couple of days to go until that eerie empty nest. To complicate things it's grandchildren duties on Wednesday and I wanted to be here to make sure the cats in the area don't linger. I see them stop and listen as they pass under the box as the chicks are pretty noisy now. 
. Empty nest syndrome it is now then 
. Have these to cheer you up 
.
Fantastic success with them. So pleased for you and hope you get to see them go. So going to miss all these nests.